Daniel Jones’ Free Agency Looms - And the Colts Shouldn’t Get Too Comfortable
Daniel Jones is about to have options - and the Indianapolis Colts would be wise not to take that lightly.
Yes, Jones is currently in Indy. Yes, he’s coming off a tough injury stretch.
But unless the Colts decide to place the franchise tag on him, he’s free to test the market. And in a quarterback-hungry league, that means the door is wide open for another team to make a move.
One team to keep an eye on? The Minnesota Vikings.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Minnesota is shaping up to be the destination for quarterbacks this offseason. Fowler didn’t name Jones specifically, but he did mention that “all the top quarterbacks that will be, or could be, available” - including names like Kyler Murray and Geno Smith - are eyeing the Vikings as a potential landing spot.
That’s notable. Because unlike Murray or Smith, who are still under contract and would need to be traded or released to move, Jones holds all the leverage. He’s set to hit free agency outright, and that gives him a level of control those other quarterbacks don’t have.
The Vikings, of course, are still trying to figure out what they have in J.J. McCarthy.
The former first-round pick just wrapped up a rocky second year, one that was marred by injury and inconsistency. He was limited to just 10 games, and when he was on the field, the flashes were few and far between.
There’s still upside there - McCarthy’s arm talent and athleticism are real - but durability has become a question mark, and the Vikings may be running out of patience.
That’s where Jones could come in.
Now, let’s be clear: Jones has his own injury history. He’s had three seasons - including 2025 - cut short due to serious injuries, the most recent being a broken fibula followed by a torn Achilles. That’s a tough one-two punch for any quarterback, and it’s something the Colts - and any other interested team - have to factor into their evaluation.
Still, when healthy, Jones has shown he can run an offense, make plays with his legs, and manage a game efficiently. He’s not a top-five quarterback, but in the right system with the right pieces around him, he can win games. That’s not nothing in today’s NFL.
The Colts need to approach this offseason with urgency. Assuming Jones will just come back because he’s already in the building would be a mistake. They’ve invested time and resources into him, but if they don’t make a compelling offer - or if they hesitate - another team, like the Vikings, could swoop in.
And if Minnesota is willing to overpay? That’s where things get tricky.
The Vikings had Jones in the building for a brief stint at the end of the 2024 season - a two-month stretch where he didn’t see the field but got a crash course in their system. That familiarity could give them an edge if they decide he’s their guy.
From the Colts’ perspective, the decision comes down to value. Jones is a good quarterback, but he hasn’t proven he can stay on the field.
That kind of injury history should temper any long-term commitment, especially at top-tier money. If Minnesota wants to roll the dice and throw big dollars his way, Indy would be smart not to get into a bidding war.
But they also can’t afford to sit back and assume he’ll just stay put.
Daniel Jones has options. The Colts need to act like it.